PRESS RELEASE
Treasurer Fitzpatrick and DOLIR Partnership Returns over $6 Million to Missourians
Jefferson City, MO—Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick today
announced that his partnership with the Missouri Department of Labor and
Industrial Relations (DOLIR) Division of Employment Security has returned over
$6 million to Missourians who have applied for unemployment benefits. This partnership
was announced in October 2020. By cross-referencing DOLIR’s contact
data with the Unclaimed Property database, the Treasurer’s Office is able to
conduct proactive outreach more successfully. Over the past year, the Unclaimed
Property Division has sent more than 260,000 emails and postcards alerting
those who filed for unemployment benefits that they have Unclaimed Property. Nearly
21,000 claims have been processed, returning $6,073,711.67. The average claim is nearly $300. “This partnership is an example
of good government and demonstrates what can be accomplished when agencies work
together to better serve Missourians,” Treasurer Fitzpatrick said. “Unclaimed
Property is often unclaimed because the owner does not know they have it. Being
able to return this money to Missourians at a time when they need it most is
gratifying. As always, I am grateful to DOLIR for its partnership in this and
to my staff who make this happen every day.” “This collaboration between
DOLIR and Treasurer Fitzpatrick is the way our state government should
operate,” DOLIR Director Anna Hui said. “Connecting unemployment recipients
with their unclaimed property is a simple, common sense joint effort that
continues to yield great results. We best serve Missourians by working better
together.” Most Unclaimed Property
consists of cash from bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and contents of safe
deposit boxes that have been abandoned. It can also include uncollected
insurance policy proceeds, government refunds, utility deposits, and wages from
past jobs. Those who receive outreach in the form of a postcard, email, or
phone call will have to submit a claim for their unclaimed property. In 2019, Treasurer Fitzpatrick worked with the Department of Social
Services to launch
an automated system that matches unclaimed property with past-due child
support. This new system has returned almost $4 million in past-due child
support payments to Missouri families. 1 in 10 Missourians has
unclaimed property and the average return is $300. Missourians can search and
claim online at ShowMeMoney.com.
The Treasurer’s Office does not charge to return unclaimed property. Since taking office in
2019, Treasurer Fitzpatrick has broken six Unclaimed Property records. His broken
records include returning the first $1 million of
his administration in less than 10 days, returning over $45 million in
one fiscal year, returning Unclaimed Property to more Missourians in
one year than any prior treasurer, returning
$100 million to Missourians faster than any prior treasurer, returning
more Unclaimed Property in one fiscal year than any prior year, and returning
more Unclaimed Property in one month than any prior treasurer. Follow the Treasurer’s Office on Twitter,
Facebook, and Instagram @motreasurer. ###